NAF expects delivery of 51 helicopters, aircraft, others to counter terrorism

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, addressing officers and men during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Makurdi, Benue State, said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting delivery of 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations in the country.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Friday, emphasised that the acquisition of additional platforms would bolster training, air power employment and projection.

Air Vice Marshal Hasan highlighted that the expected platforms include two Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, two Beechcraft King Air 360, three Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.

Other pending acquisitions include 2 CASA -295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.

The Chief of Air Staff noted that all the acquisitions demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping the NAF for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the Nation’s security challenges.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar also said that the NAF would continue to enhance cooperation and jointness as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving the security challenges bedevilling the country.

“While the NAF augments its airpower measures and approaches, it will also continue to promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the various services,” he said.